T or L-SLOT DIVIDERS WITH INTERFERENCE SECTION FOR USE WITH INDUSTRIAL BINS

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a bin having an interference fit divider, including a bin having a base, a front wall, a rear wall and opposed side walls; at least one upper set of raised rails on each side wall, a first rail having a spacer section and an end cap section and a second rail having a spacer section forming a T or L-slot, the slot having a gap that is wider at the top than at the bottom; a divider, having a T or L-shaped end section; and an interference bump formed on the divider to form an interference fit when the divider is inserted in the T or L slot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention NonProvisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/901604, entitled “T or L-SLOT DIVIDERS WITH INTERFERENCE SECTION FOR USE WITH INDUSTRIAL BINS” and filed Nov. 8, 2013 and listing Travis Shamp as Inventor. All aspects of application Ser. No. 61/901604 application are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Bin systems with internal dividers, as shown in FIG. 1A, are often used in industrial assembly. Generally, dovetail, as shown in FIG. 1B, or T-Slot or L-slot attachments are used in securing the dividers with in a bin. The L or T-slot provides wider manufacturing tolerances than the standard dovetail. Standard dovetails require tight tolerances to prevent the dividers from inadvertently slipping out of the slot if too loose or cause difficulty of insertion if too tight. Difficulties with these tolerances are widespread in the industry. Manufacturing processes make it difficult to maintain tolerances and the width of dividers and slots can vary dramatically from bin to bin and even among slots of the same bin.

SUMMARY

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a bin having an interference fit divider is provided, The bin has a base, a front wall, a rear wall and opposed side walls; at least one upper set of raised rails on each side wall, a first rail having a spacer section and an end cap section and a second rail having a spacer section forming a T or L-slot, the slot having a gap that is wider at the top than at the bottom; a divider, having a T or L-shaped end section; and an interference bump formed on the divider to form an interference fit when the divider is inserted in the T or L slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and the many embodiments thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a bin system and dovetail dividers of the prior art;

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a divider with an interference dovetail divider of the present invention inserted into an industrial bin.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a divider with an interference T-slot divider of the present invention inserted into an industrial bin.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view, in detail, of a divider with an interference T-slot divider of the present invention inserted into a T-slot of industrial bin.

FIG. 4A a cross-sectional view, taken at line AA of FIG. 3, of a divider with an interference T-slot divider of the present invention.

FIG. 4B a cross-sectional view, taken at line BB of FIG. 3, of a divider with an interference T-slot divider of the present invention.

FIG. 4C a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 4B, of a divider with an alternate configuration of an interference T-slot divider of the present invention.

FIG. 5A a cross-sectional view, taken at line AA of FIG. 3, of a divider with an interference L-slot divider of the present invention.

FIG. 5B a cross-sectional view, taken at line BB of FIG. 3, of a divider with an interference L-slot divider of the present invention.

FIG. 5C a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5B, of a divider with an alternate configuration of an interference L-slot divider of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with occasional reference to the specific embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.

FIG. 1A and 1B show bins and dovetail dividers of the prior art. The standard dovetails shown require tight tolerances to prevent the dividers from inadvertently slipping out of the slot if too loose or cause difficulty of insertion if too tight. Difficulties with these tolerances are widespread in the industry. Manufacturing processes make it difficult to maintain tolerances and the width of dividers and slots can vary dramatically from bin to bin and even among slots of the same bin.

A bin and an interference T-slot divider of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. The bin 10 includes a left side wall 12, a rear wall 14, with an optional lip 14 a for hanging bin 10 from a rack system, a right side wall (not shown) a base 16, and a front wall 18, with an optional handle 18 a. Opposed rails 20, 22 that form T-slots are formed on the sidewalls (only sidewall 12 is shown) and has a T-slot divider 30 inserted into the t-slot. Sidewall 12 may also include lower alignment slots formed from opposed rails 26, 28, which serve to align divider 30 with the interference T-slot formed by rails 20, 22. The divider 30 is inserted vertically between a set of upper rails 20, 22 and a set of lower rails 26, 28.

The detail of divider 30 is shown in FIG. 3. Divider 30 is fed between upper rails 20, 22 and lower rails 26, 28 (as shown in FIG. 2) and pushed downward such that the interference bump 30 a, 30 b on the upper portion of divider 30 contacts opposed rails 20, 22 and the interference bump 30 a, 30 b and/or opposed rails 20, 22 plastically deform to secure divider 30 to bin 10. The section of FIG. 2 may show either a T-slot (as shown in FIG. 4A-4C) or an L-slot (as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C) due to the depth of the sectional cut. Bin 10 and interference T or L slot divider 30 forms an interference fit between opposed rails 20, 22. The slot formed in the space between opposed rails 20, 22 is larger at the upper end for ease of insertion and narrower at the bottom. The lower edge of divider 30 is inserted between the rails 20, 22 of the slot and dropped between the lower set of rails 26, 28. The divider 30 is then lowered until the interference bump 30 a, 30 b engages the upper rails 20, 22 of the slot. Additional downward pressure is applied to force divider 30 and interference bump 30 a, 30 b between rails 20, 22. Bin 10 is generally made from a softer material such as polypropylene (PP) and divider 30 is generally made of a harder material, for example, polystyrene such as high density polystyrene (HIPS). The bin material plastically deforms the softer bin material to create an interference or friction fit between the interference bump 30 a, 30 b and the opposed rails 20, 22. The section of FIG. 3 may show either a T-slot or an L-slot due to the depth of the sectional cut.

FIG. 4A shows bin wall 12 and an interference T-slot divider 30 of the present invention in cross section. The cross section is taken below the interference bump 30 a, 30 b. The wide tolerances between the rails 20, 20′, 22, 22′ that form the T-slot are shown. The wider tolerances decrease design, mold manufacture, and product manufacturing costs. The space between the opposed rails 20, 20′, 22, 22′ of the T-slot is larger than possible in the dovetail slot of the prior art. The use of such wide tolerances for the entire T-slot would inhibit the divider 30 from being sufficiently retained within the T-slot. Additional rails 20′, 22′ may be included The T-slot formed by rails 20, 20′, 22, 22′includes an upright gap and a cross piece gap, the upright having an upright gap width at upper end (UGW₁) and at the bottom (UGW₂) such that UGW₁>UGW₂ and the cross piece having a cross piece gap width at upper end (CPGW₁) and at the bottom (CPGW₂) such that CPGW₁>CPGW₂ and cross piece gap height at upper end (CPGH₁) and at the bottom (CPGH ₂) such that CPGH₁>CPGH₂.

FIG. 4B shows the bin wall 12 and interference rails 20, 20′, 22, 22′ and the T-slot divider 30 of the present invention in cross-section taken at the interference bump 30 a, 30 b. The interference bump 30 a, 30 b in a friction fit is shown. The gap between the rails 20′, 22′ is marginally wider level of FIG. 4B than of FIG. 4A; however the interference bump engages the rails 20′, 22′ that are plastically deformed to create a friction fit between the interference bump 30 a, 30 b and the opposed rails 20′, 22′. The interference bump is formed on the divider proximate the T-shaped cross piece, the interference bump having a circumference (IBC) such that UGW₁>IBC>UGW₂.

FIG. 4C shows bin wall 12 and interference rails 20, 20′, 22, 22′with interference T-slot divider 30 of the present invention in cross section. The interference bump 30 b is shown at the distal end of divider T-end 32. Optional bumps 30 a may be positioned on the proximal side of divider T end 32. The gap between the end section of the rails 20′, 22′and sidewall 12 GPGH of bin 10 is marginally wider at the upper edge of the slot GPGH₁ than the lower edge GPGH₂. The interference bumps 32 a, 32 b engage the bin wall 12 and rails 20′, 22′ such that rails 20′, 22′ and bin wall 12 are plastically deformed to create a friction fit. The interference bumps 32 a, 32 b are formed on the T-shaped crosspiece 32, the interference bump having a circumference (IBC) such that GPGH₁>IBC>GPGH₂.

FIG. 5A shows bin wall 12 and an interference L-slot divider formed by rails 20, 20′, 22 with bin divider 50 with L-shaped end 52 of the present invention is shown in cross section taken below the interference bump 50 a, 50 b (as shown in FIG. 5B). The wide tolerances of the L-slot are shown. The wider tolerances decrease design, mold manufacture, and product manufacturing costs. The space between the opposed rails 20, 20′, 22 of the L-slot is larger than possible in the dovetail slot of the prior art.

FIG. 5B shows the bin wall 12 with interference L-slot divider formed of upright rails 20, 20′, 22 with divider wall 50 having L-shaped end 52 of the present invention in cross-section taken below FIG. 5A. The interference bump 50 a, 50 b in a friction fit with upright rails 20′, 22 is shown. The gap between the rails is marginally wider in FIG. 5B than in FIG. 5A; and the interference bump 50 a, 50 b engages the sidewalls that are plastically deformed to create a friction fit between the interference bump 50 a, 50 b and the opposed rails 20′, 22. The L-slot has an upright gap and a cross piece gap, the upright having an upright gap width at upper end (LUGW₁) and at an L-slot upright gap width at the lower end (LUGW₂) such that LUGW₁>LUGW₂ and the cross piece having a cross piece gap width at upper end (LCPGW₁) and at the bottom (LCPGW₂) such that LCPGW₁>LCPGW₂ and cross piece gap height at upper end (LCPGH₁) and cross piece gap height at lower end (LCPGH₂) such that LCPGH ₁>LCPGH₂. The interference bump is formed on the divider proximate the L-shaped cross piece, the interference bump having a circumference (IBC) such that LUGW₁>IBC>LUGW₂.

FIG. 5C shows the bin wall 12 with interference L-slot divider formed of upright rails 20, 20′, 22 with divider wall 50 having and L-shaped end 52 of the present invention in cross section. The interference bump 52 b at the distal end of the L-shaped end 50 piece is shown in detail. An optional interference bump 52 a may be included on the proximal end of L-shaped end piece 52. The gap width between the end section of the rail 52 and the bin wall 12 at the upper edge LGPGH₁ is marginally wider than the gap width at the lower edge LGPGH₂, The interference bump 52 b engages the bin wall 12 so that the interference bump 52 b (and optionally interference bump 52 a) and bin wall 12 are plastically deformed to create a friction fit. The interference bump is formed on the L-shaped crosspiece, the interference bump 52 a, 52 b having a circumference (IBC) such that LGPGH₁>IBC>LGPGH₂.

While the bin and T-slot or L-slot divider of the present invention may be formed of any suitable material and by any method, typically the bins and dividers are formed of injection-molded plastic. While the invention has been generally described as having an interference bump having a circumference, any geometry raised section may be used. Further, while it may generally be preferable to include an interference bump on either side of the divider 30, 50 or of the T-slot end or L-slot end, a single bump will generally be acceptable. Generally, the bins will be formed of by injection molding from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, or polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene or polyethylene is or any other suitable polymer. Generally, the dividers will be formed of a material having a higher hardness by injection molding from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, or polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene or polyethylene is or any other suitable polymer. The bin and t-slot divider may be formed in any size of general configuration in accordance with the disclosure herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bin having an interference fit divider, comprising: a bin having a base, a front wall, a rear wall and opposed sidewalls; at least one upper set of raised rails on each side wall, each rail having a spacer section and an end cap section forming a T-slot therebetween, the T-slot having an upright gap and a cross piece gap, the upright having an upright gap width at upper end (UGW₁) and at the bottom (UGW₂) and the cross piece having a cross piece gap width at upper end (CPGW₁) and at the bottom (CPGW₂) such that CPGW₁>CPGW₂ and cross piece gap height at upper end (CPGH₁) and at the bottom (CPGH₂)₂; a divider, having a T-shaped cross piece at the opposed ends, the divider having a width less than the upright gap width of the T-slot, and the cross piece having width less than the cross piece gap width and a height less than the cross piece gap height; and an interference bump formed on the divider.
 2. The bin of claim 1, wherein the interference bump is formed on the divider proximate the T-shaped cross piece, the interference bump having a circumference (IBC) such that UGW₁>IBC>UGW₂.
 3. The bin of claim 1, wherein the interference bump is formed on the divider proximate the T-shaped cross piece, the interference bump having a circumference (IBC) such that CPGW₁>CPGW₂.
 4. The bin of claim 1, wherein the interference bump is formed on the T- shaped cross piece, the interference bump having a circumference (IBC) such that GPGH₁>IBC>GPGH₂.
 5. The bin of claim 1, further comprising a second set of raised rails on each sidewall proximate the base of the bin.
 6. The bin of claim 1, wherein the bin is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene.
 7. The bin of claim 1, wherein the divider is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene.
 8. The bin of claim 1, wherein the bin is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene and the divider is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene, the material of the divider having a higher hardness than the material of the bin.
 9. A bin having an interference fit divider, comprising: a bin having a base, a front wall, a rear wall and opposed sidewalls; at least one upper set of raised rails on each side wall, a first rail having a spacer section and an end cap section and a second rail having a spacer section forming an L-slot therebetween, the L-slot having an upright gap and a cross piece gap, the upright having an upright gap width at upper end (LUGW₁) and at the lower end (LUGW₂) and the cross piece having a cross piece gap width at upper end (LCPGW₁) and at the lower end (LCPGW₂) and cross piece gap height at upper end (LCPGH₁) and at the lower end (LCPGH₂); a divider, having a L-shaped cross piece at the opposed ends, the divider having a width less than the upright gap width of the L-slot, and the cross piece having width less than the cross piece gap width and a height less than the cross piece gap height; and an interference bump formed on the divider.
 10. The bin of claim 8, wherein the interference bump is formed on the divider proximate the L-shaped cross piece, the interference bump having a circumference (IBC) such that LUGW₁>IBC>LUGW₂.
 11. The bin of claim 8, wherein the interference bump is formed on the divider proximate the L-shaped cross piece, the interference bump having a circumference (IBC) such that LCPGW₁>LCPGW₂.
 12. The bin of claim 8, wherein the interference bump is formed on the L- shaped cross piece, the interference bump having a circumference (IBC) such that LGPGH₁>IBC>LGPGH₂.
 13. The bin of claim 8, further comprising a second set of raised rails on each sidewall proximate the base of the bin.
 14. The bin of claim 8, wherein the bin is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene.
 15. The bin of claim 8, wherein the divider is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene.
 16. The bin of claim 8, wherein the bin is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene and the divider is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene, the material of the divider having a higher hardness than the material of the bin.
 17. A bin having an interference fit divider, comprising: a bin having a base, a front wall, a rear wall and opposed sidewalls; at least one upper set of raised rails on each side wall, each rail having a spacer section and an end cap section forming a slot therebetween, the slot tapering from a wider top to a narrower bottom in at least one dimension; a divider, having a cross piece formed to mate with the slot formed on each side wall at the opposed ends of the divider, the divider being smaller than the slot, and the cross piece being smaller than the slot; and an interference bump on the divider that is sized to form an interference fit in the slot on at least one sidewall.
 18. The bin of claim 17, wherein the bin is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene.
 19. The bin of claim 17, wherein the divider is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene.
 20. The bin of claim 17, wherein the bin is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene and the divider is formed by injection molding of a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of from ABS, acetyl polymers, nylon, polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene and polyethylene, the material of the divider having a higher hardness than the material of the bin. 